Drug Eruption and Interactions - PHARMACEUTICAL REVIEW

220 EVENING PRIMROSE
(2004): Werneke U+, Br J Cancer 90(2), 408
Note: The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has withdrawn licenses
for prescription evening primrose drug products under the brand
names of Epogam and Efamast. This was because there is not enough
evidence that they are effective
EXEMESTANE
Trade name: Aromasin (Pfizer)
Indications: advanced breast cancer
Category: Aromatase inhibitor
Half-life: 24 hours
Reactions
Skin
Diaphoresis (6–12%)
(2000): Clemett D+, Drugs 59, 1279
(1997): Thurlimann B+, Eur J Cancer 33, 1767 (12%)
Edema (7%)
Peripheral edema (9%)
(1997): Thurlimann B+, Eur J Cancer 33, 1767 (9%)
Pruritus (2–5%)
Rash (sic) (2–5%)
Hair
Hair – alopecia (2–5%)
Other
Hot flashes (30%)
(2002): Tabei T+, Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 29(7), 1199
(2000): Clemett D+, Drugs 59, 1279
(1999): Jones S+, J Clin Oncol 17, 3418
(1998): Paridaens R+, Anticancer Drugs 9, 675 (30%)
(1997): Thurlimann B+, Eur J Cancer 33, 1767 (21%)
Infections
Lymphedema (2–5%)
Tumor pain (30%)
(1998): Paridaens R+, Anticancer Drugs 9, 675 (30%)
EZETIMIBE
Trade names: Vytorin*; Zetia
Indications: Hypercholesterolemia
Category: Cholesterol inhibitor
Half-life: 22 hours
Clinically important, potentially hazardous interactions
with: cyclosporine, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, HMG-CoA inhibitors
(statins), ritonavir
Reactions
Hair
Hair – alopecia
(2004): Smith JG, Mobile, AL (from Internet) (observation)
Other
Abdominal pain (2.2%)
Cough (2.3%)
Hepatotoxicity
(2006): Stolk MF+, Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 4(7), 908
Myalgia/Myositis/Myopathy/Myotoxicity (5%)
(2007): Patel AR+, J Heart Lung 26(3), 281
(2007): Weffald LA+, Pharmacotherapy 27(2), 309
(2006): Davidson MH+, Am J Cardiol 97(2), 223
(2006): Havranek JM+, Am J Med 119(3), 285
(2006): Kohnle M+, Am J Transplant 6(1), 205
(2006): Simard C+, Can J Cardiol 22(2), 141
(2005): Perez-Calvo J+, QJM 98(6), 461
(2004): Litt JZ, Beachwood, OH (personal case) (observation)
*Note: Vytorin is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin
FAMCICLOVIR
Trade name: Famvir (Novartis)
Indications: Acute herpes zoster, recurrent genital herpes
Category: Antiviral; Guanine nucleoside analog
Half-life: 2–3 hours
Reactions
Skin
Dermatitis
(1996): Sacks SL+, JAMA 276, 44
Pruritus (3.7%)
Vasculitis
(2005): Ali SO+, J Drugs Dermatol 4(4), 486
Other
Abdominal pain
(2004): Sra KK+, Skin Therapy Lett 9(8), 1
Hypersensitivity
(2001): Kawsar M+, Sex Transm Infect 77(3), 204
FAMOTIDINE
Trade names: Amfamox; Apo-Famotidine; Durater; Famodil;
Famoxal; Ganor; Gastro; Motiax; Mylanta AR; Nu-Famotidine;
Pepcid (Merck); Pepcidine; Pepdul; Sigafam
Indications: Duodenal ulcer, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD)
Category: Histamine H2 receptor antagonist
Half-life: 2.5–3.5 hours
Clinically important, potentially hazardous interactions
with: cefditoren, devil’s claw
Reactions
Skin
Acne (